The University of Pisa takes part in the Scientific Degree Plan (PLS) and the Orientation and Tutoring Plans (POT), established under Ministerial Decree 1047\/2017, through several projects.<\/p>\n
The Scientific Degree Plans (PLS)<\/strong> are designed to introduce secondary school students to scientific studies and strengthen their interest in these disciplines. Through structural actions, the PLS seeks to encourage enrolment in scientific courses, reduce university dropouts, improve students\u2019 academic performance, and support teachers\u2019 professional development. Initiatives include active guidance, self-assessment for secondary school students, and the development of innovative teaching methods.<\/p>\n The Orientation and Tutoring Plans (POT)<\/strong> aim to support secondary school students in choosing a university course and in their academic career. Through orientation activities such as meetings, courses and workshops, along with the continuing professional development of teachers, the POT seeks to promote informed choices of university study and foster closer cooperation between secondary schools and universities.<\/p>\n Objectives<\/b><\/p>\n The orientation initiatives<\/strong> promoted by PLS and POT projects, aimed at both students and secondary school teachers, are designed to:<\/p>\n Schools interested in taking part in the projects may consult their descriptions and contact the departmental coordinators. Please note: some departmental projects are currently under development.<\/p>\n Modern Languages and Cultures (Lead Project)<\/b> The POT \u201c<\/i>UniSco\u201d<\/i>, coordinated by the University of Pisa, involves 36 universities and 58 degree courses in Foreign Languages and Literatures (L-11) and in Applied Languages (L-12). In continuity with previous experiences, it aims to develop, together with secondary schools, orientation and tutoring activities to overcome obstacles hindering a smooth and effective transition of new students into university studies, with a strong focus on inclusion.<\/p>\n Mathematics (Lead Project)<\/b> The National PLS Project in Mathematics<\/strong>, coordinated by the University of Pisa, continues the work of previous editions, focusing on orientation towards university studies, recognising and enhancing the close link with self-assessment, actions to overcome difficulties at university entry, combating dropouts, innovation in university and pre-university teaching, and teacher training. The project therefore aims to develop experiences, tools and activity models that allow for synergistic action in all these areas. It currently involves 40 universities, including all 36 state universities and one private university offering degree courses in class L-35.<\/p>\n Arts, Music, Performing Arts: Philosophy<\/b> The<\/strong> POT \u201cUniversities, Schools and Local Areas Networking for Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage: Participation, Inclusion and Enhancement\u201d<\/strong>, coordinated by Roma Tre University, involves a wide national network of 32 universities across four degree classes in Humanities (L-1, L-3, L-5, L-20). The project is based on a shared principle: cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is an essential factor in individual and collective growth and development, capable of promoting participation, inclusion and enhancement in relation to students\u2019 university careers and subsequent professional paths, with a positive impact also on the enhancement of national cultural heritage.<\/p>\n Biology<\/b> The PLS activities in Biology and Biotechnology<\/strong> include orientation actions for enrolment and teacher training in secondary schools; tutoring (self-assessment and support for university preparation) and assistance with practical laboratory activities (wetlab and drylab) for Bachelor\u2019s and Master\u2019s Degree students in Biology and Biotechnology courses.<\/p>\n Chemistry<\/b> The National Chemistry PLS Project<\/strong>, active in 32 Italian universities offering degree courses in class L-27 (Chemistry), aims to increase enrolments, reduce dropouts and improve student performance, while also strengthening links between schools and universities. To achieve these goals, the project offers a series of activities for both students and teachers: orientation and self-assessment initiatives for secondary school students, tutoring programmes for first-year students, and training activities for teachers. These actions aim to foster informed choices, support students throughout their university studies, and improve the teaching of chemistry in schools.<\/p>\n Pharmacy<\/b> This project builds on previous POT initiatives in the degree classes of Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy (LM-13), and Pharmacy (L-29). Its primary aim is to help students make informed study choices by combining full awareness of the cultural and professional knowledge and skills acquired during the study programme with personal aptitudes and interests. The project reshapes activities along the School\u2013University\u2013Work axis, at all stages of the orientation process, both on entry and during studies.<\/p>\n Physics<\/b> The National PLS Project in Physics<\/strong> involves 37 universities and is dedicated to designing and disseminating initiatives to provide students with a proper understanding of Physics and its power as a tool for scientific and technological reasoning. It offers opportunities for self-assessment and strengthening of physics competences, enhances teachers\u2019 knowledge and ability to engage and motivate students, and develops teaching materials.<\/p>\n Geology<\/b> The PLS in Geology at UniPi includes various initiatives aligned with the National Plan guidelines. For incoming guidance, secondary school students are offered a series of Earth Sciences laboratories, combining activities at the Department of Earth Sciences with field trips \u2013 the latter being a key element of a geologist\u2019s work (these activities also fall within the PCTO framework). For participants, satisfaction surveys are conducted, and results are shared with laboratory coordinators to continuously improve the offer. The labs are complemented by seminars delivered by departmental staff on topics agreed with schools.<\/p>\n To counter dropouts in the first two years, incoming students are offered guided field trips (sometimes lasting several days) in educationally significant areas for Earth Sciences. These are preceded by preparatory meetings and PPT presentations, with dedicated guidebooks prepared. All activities are later evaluated through questionnaires. The project also includes tutoring positions to support first-year students and gender-balance initiatives (female researchers visit schools to hold meetings\/seminars). Teacher training has recently included a highly attended \u201cGeosciences Laboratory\u201d and the \u201cLaboratory for Environmental and Climate Monitoring\u201d (Torre del Lago).<\/p>\n For further information, please consult the following link.<\/p>\n Law<\/b> The POT V.A.L.E. \u2013 P.L.U.S. (Vocational Academic Law Enhancement \u2013 Project Law University Student)<\/b> promotes orientation activities for both informational (open events for school classes or individuals, presentations of law study programmes with examples of current legal issues) and educational (mainly on citizenship and the Constitution) enrolments. Tutoring actions are provided at different levels, from the initial welcome stage to course choice and dissertation preparation, with the involvement of senior students, PhD candidates, trainees and young professionals.<\/p>\n Computer Science<\/b> The National PLS Project in Computer Science, involving 35 universities, aims to promote Computer Science as a scientific discipline and to improve secondary school students\u2019 understanding of university studies and professional practice. It seeks to counter stereotypes, promoting inclusion especially in underrepresented groups, such as women. Engineering<\/b> The project involves 46 universities across Italy and operates on two levels: national and local. National-level actions, based on best practices and cooperation, aim to create useful tools for guidance, tutoring, laboratory practices and teacher training. Locally, each university designs specific orientation and tutoring interventions, adapting and testing the nationally developed tools to assess their effectiveness in the local context.<\/p>\n Humanities<\/b> This project, involving 31 universities, organises orientation and tutoring activities for students in degree programmes in Humanities (L-10). Students are supported in acquiring subject-specific competences starting from the choice of their study programme. Specific goals include guidance for enrolment, tutoring, self-assessment and remedial actions, laboratory practices, and professional development for teachers.<\/p>\n Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Prosthodontics (MOOD)<\/b> The POT MOOD (MedOdontOrientaDomain) project<\/strong> is based on the well-established evidence that university orientation on entry level is essential for secondary school students. Such programmes ease the transition into academic life, reducing anxiety and uncertainty, and help students choose the most suitable university career, thereby fostering equal access to higher education. This reduces drop-outs and helps students acquire the competences needed for their academic and professional futures. The project features:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It offers:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Veterinary Medicine<\/b> The OrientaVET project<\/strong> involves all Italian degree courses in Veterinary Medicine (LM-42). Agricultural Sciences<\/b> The SISSA3EFG project<\/strong> continues and expands the previous POT-10_SISSA initiative. In line with legislative developments, it now includes degree classes L-25, L-26, L-38, LGastr and LP02, in order to encompass all agricultural, forestry and veterinary fields. It is based on the assumption that orientation and tutoring actions can be shared among students interested in this broad and multifaceted disciplinary area.<\/p>\n Economics and Business Management Sciences<\/b> TALENTI \u2013 POT in Economics, Management and Tourism<\/strong>: this project covers degree classes in Economics and Business Administration (L-18, L-33), Tourism (L-15), and Administration (L-16). It seeks to introduce new tools to encourage informed study choices, improve entry-level skills, support academic progress, shorten completion times, and reduce drop-outs. Natural and Environmental Sciences<\/b> The PLS in Natural and Environmental Sciences pursues multiple interconnected goals through five synergistic Actions:<\/p>\n Political Sciences<\/b> Political Science (L-36)\n
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Projects and UniPi Coordinators\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nValeria Tocco \u2013 valeria.tocco@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMirko Maracci (National Coordinator) \u2013 mirko.maracci@unipi.it<\/a>
\nContact person of the Department of Mathematics: giulia.lisarelli@unipi.it<\/p>\n
\nChiara Tognolotti \u2013 chiara.tognolotti@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nChiara Gabellini \u2013 chiara.gabellini@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFrancesca Martini \u2013 francesca.martini@unipi.it<\/a>
\nJeannette Lucejko \u2013 jeannette.lucejko@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSusi Burgalassi \u2013 susi.burgalassi@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nRiccardo Mannella \u2013 riccardo.mannella@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nLuca Ragaini \u2013 luca.ragaini@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFederico Procchi \u2013 federico.procchi@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nRoberto Grossi \u2013 roberto.grossi@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMain objectives include: providing self-assessment tools and knowledge consolidation for preparation to university studies; reducing dropouts and delays; supporting teachers\u2019 professional growth through research-based innovative approaches. Activities include orientation, inclusive labs, tutoring, self-assessment and remedial initiatives, as well as successful projects such as Bebras, NERD, the Informatics Olympiads, and the development of dedicated software tools.
\nParticular focus is placed on designing support interventions for foundational courses and training qualified tutors. For teacher training, the project promotes innovation in computer science education, moving beyond a purely instrumental perception towards a more comprehensive and research-based approach.<\/p>\n
\nGabriele Pannocchia \u2013 gabriele.pannocchia@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMauro Tulli \u2013 mauro.tulli@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nRiccardo Ruffoli \u2013 riccardo.ruffoli@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe project, born out of collaboration among all national degree courses in Medicine and Surgery and Dentistry and Prosthodontics, aims to integrate a series of actions to create a uniform and robust guidance system for medical and dental professions in Italy. Specifically, it seeks to:<\/p>\n\n
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\nAlessandra Rota \u2013 alessandra.rota@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nActions include enrolment guidance in cooperation with secondary schools; tutoring for first- and second-year students; laboratory practices for secondary school students; self-assessment activities and remedial courses where needed; and professional development for secondary school teachers through conferences and workshops.<\/p>\n
\nLucia Guidi \u2013 lucia.guidi@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFederica De Santis \u2013 federica.desantis@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nActivities include entry-level guidance sessions, individual and group tutoring (including tailored forms of tutoring for specific student needs or career monitoring), transferable skills workshops, school-to-work placements, career guidance events, summer schools and training internships.<\/p>\n
\nValentina Serra \u2013 valentina.serra@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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\nNico De Federicis \u2013 nico.defedericis@unipi.it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe POT 9 GPS.UNI \u2013 Political-Sociological Geolocation for University Orientation aims to strengthen informed university choices, provide tutoring support to reduce dropouts, and address challenges specific to students\u2019 academic careers. Cross-cutting activities, carried out at partner institutions with the aid of new technologies, aim to implement best practices to be shared across the network, fostering productive synergies between University, Schools and Local Areas.<\/p>\n